1. Experiment
Try taking shots of the same thing in a number of different ways:
· shoot from different perspectives – up high, down low etc
· getting in close – stepping back for a wider angle shot
· moving around your subject to shoot from different sides
· experimenting with different settings
2. Check your Backgrounds
Check out the background of a shot to check for clutter or distraction.
Scan the background (and the foreground) of an image quickly and change your framing if there’s too many distractions – otherwise their shots will end up like mine used to with all kinds of objects growing out of the heads of those I was photographing.
3. Hold the Camera Straight and Hold it Right
While shots that are not straight can be quite effective (they can be playful or give a more ‘candid’ feel to them) it can be quite dizzying!
Check the framing of each shot for straightness before hitting the shutter. Also, make sure to use both hands when holding your camera
4. Get in Close
Almost all of the shots that took in my first rolls of film have my subject somewhere off into the distance of the shot. I didn’t understand how getting in close would help capture the detail of a subject.
Use the zoom on your digital camera – but don’t forget to that using your legs to move closer can achieve the same results!
5. Take Lots of Photos
Taking lots of images is a great way to learn different techniques of photography.
While you probably don't want to to take 100 shots of exactly the same thing, experiment with lots of different shots over time and to see your photography improve.
6. Getting the Balance Right Between Photographing People, ‘Things’ and Places
Try to remember both the things you see on a trip and the people you are with - taking a combination of both will help you remember your vacations better!
7. Find a Point of Interest
Interesting photographs have interesting things in them – they need a visual point of interest (a focal point). Try to find this point of interest before hitting the shutter.
Once you’ve identified the point of interest, think about how to highlight it (by your position, using the zoom etc).
8. Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds means to place your subject on one of the intersecting points when dividing the frame into thirds – particularly when photographing other people.
Placing a subject off centre can be enough.
9. Focal Lock
While most cameras do well in auto focusing upon subjects there are times when you’ll end up with shots that are out of focus because the camera doesn’t know what the main subject is (particularly if they are placing subjects off centre with the rule of thirds).
Press the shutter halfway down to focus and then frame the shot while still holding it down - you'll get perfectly focused subjects every time!
10. Different Modes for Different Situations
Most digital cameras these days have the ability to switch a camera into modes like ‘portrait’, ’sports’, ‘macro’ etc. Look through these modes and experiment with the types of pictures each takes. Just knowing that different situations will mean you need to use different settings will help you realize how light, focal distance and subject movement can impact a shot.
11. Exposure Settings
Once you have a good grasp on the above techniques, start to experiment with some basics of exposure. Learning about the three elements of ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed are a useful place to start realizing how changing these settings can impact a photo.
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/13-lessons-to-teach-your-child-about-digital-photography